Rare Indian Silver Torso Image of Chamunda

This fine and rare silver torso breastplate represents the Chamunda, the goddess created by Durga to destroy Murti, the personification of evil. By tradition, the goddess haunts cremation grounds or fig trees.

It is repoussed and chased in high relief with a slightly swollen abdomen, ample breasts, two stylised cobra heads on each side, and a floral necklace, as well as decorative borders around the nipples.

The beauty of the breastplate comes from its simplicity and the purity of its line.

Terlinden (1987, p. 182) illustrates a very similar but larger example.

Such breastplates were attached to bronze or stone images of the deity to decorate them during temple festivals.

The breastplate here is in excellent condition.